Are you tired of bundling your internet with services you do not tend to use much? Maybe ditch phone and cable plan and go for a standalone internet plan then? You might wonder if there are any. Well, sure there are many cheap internet plans for you to go with. We will talk about all those ways you can get affordable internet without having to bundle with a phone or cable in this post.
Note: All those still in favor of bundling internet with phone or cable scared to blow out your budget, there is a way out. You can check deals offered by different providers. For instance, with Spectrum bundles, you get the option to bundle your internet with a phone or cable service at reasonable rates. The download speeds are up to 200 Mbps coupled with free HD channels.
Team standalone internet plan, let us get started with the tips and tricks.
- Fixed-wireless internet
It is often cheaper to use fixed-wireless instead of satellite internet in rural communities. Fixed-wireless providers provide access to the internet in areas without cable, fiber, or landlines. An antenna on a house transmits radio waves that deliver fixed-wireless internet connections.
Fixed-wireless internet is not available to everyone. In order for you to receive fixed-wireless internet, your area must have transmission equipment installed. The transmission sites need to be close enough to your house for you to get a signal. A signal may not reach your home if there are trees, mountains, hills, or tall buildings in the way. Despite the availability of fixed-wireless carriers in your area, coverage might not be available at your home. Make sure there is a good signal near your home by checking with your internet provider.
Type in your zip code into our internet search tool to see if fixed-wireless internet is available in your area.
Cell phone towers, poles, or buildings are usually used for fixed-wireless transmission. Although it is cheaper and easier than digging trenches and laying kilometers of cable or fiber, setting up fixed-wireless internet still requires investment, and coverage can be patchy.
The number of fixed-wireless providers across the country exceeds 1,200. These are largely local providers and provide fast download speeds and ample data.
- DSL internet
Many suburban and rural Americans have landline phones installed in their homes, and DSL technology makes use of this network. A DSL connection is delivered over copper phone lines, much like old-school dial-up, but much faster. DSL internet speeds range from 10 to 20 Mbps, even for the slowest connections.
Streaming video, gaming, and other activities are no problem with speedy DSL internet plans from the big internet service providers. In the United States, there are hundreds of DSL internet service providers, many of which are small, local businesses, and some of which provide comparable speeds and service to larger providers.
DSL is a great choice over other rural internet providers such as a satellite connection because it offers more data and is cheaper- some plans even offer unlimited data.
- Satellite internet providers
Satellite internet is delivered from space via satellites, so it is accessible almost everywhere. Satellite internet is not dependent on cell phone towers or cable networks in your area – you only need a clear view of the southern sky.
The speed and latency of satellite internet present some challenges. It takes thousands of miles for a satellite internet signal to reach satellites located in geostationary orbit around Earth. An access request to a website travels a long distance. Due to the long latency of satellite internet, Internet activities requiring a quick response time, like online gaming, will have problems.
As of now, there are only two satellite internet service providers in the US: Viasat and HughesNet.
Satellite internet will soon be offered by other companies: SpaceX (Starlink) and Amazon (Project Kuiper) will launch satellite internet services within the next few years. Satellite companies of the next generation will be able to deliver faster speeds and lower latency due to their use of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
- Mobile wireless internet (4G LTE internet)
With more data at lesser rates, mobile wireless internet is a viable alternative to satellite internet for suburban and rural communities with cellular service. Although rural areas often provide 3G or 4G speeds rather than 4G LTE, mobile wireless internet is sometimes called 4G LTE. The device works like a mobile hotspot, but it allows for much more data, so it is an improved option for all the home networks.
Using a wireless modem offered by your carrier, and the same wireless networks that operate in your area, you can access the internet via mobile towers from your home. Therefore, you should pick a wireless internet service that runs on an excellent network in your area. You can choose from Verizon, T-Mobile/Sprint, AT&T, or an MVNO like Straight Talk, Cricket, or Boost that uses those networks.
So, what are the advantages of mobile internet vs. hotspotting from your phone? With a dedicated mobile wireless home internet connection, you will get a lot more data — you can get 500GB or more per month, which is more than enough for most households.
Across the United States, dozens of small carriers offer mobile wireless internet. These plans are usually available anywhere there is a cellular service. While traveling or working on the road, you can use your modem as a mobile hotspot.
Final take
It is possible to get Wi-Fi without a home phone line or cable connection, so if your internet provider is pushing you to get a home phone plan, just remember that it is just a sales trick.
If you live in a suburban or rural area, you can access the internet with DSL, fixed wireless, satellite internet, and wireless mobile internet (4G LTE). Only DSL (which runs through copper phone networks) requires that you have a landline phone at your home, but even with DSL you do not need an active landline number to sign up for DSL internet service.
Get rid of your landline phone service to save a few bucks every month. Why not get started now? It is easier than you think!